Former Cats for $500, Alex

News is sure slow in the summer, but I have some stuff for you on former Panthers that I think some will be interested.

-- Goalie Ed Belfour (2006-07) is apparently tired of looking for work in a tough market and is headed overseas. There's a report out of Sweden saying Eddie's headed there.

According to the Swedish newspaper Sport-Exspressen, it appears likely that Belfour is going to sign a one-year deal with Leksand. That team plays in Sweden's second-tier league.

Don't know whether Eddie has an out clause to come back to the states if a job opens up in the NHL, but I would bet that's the case.

-- Serge Payer (2000-01, 2005-06) had shoulder surgery last year, cutting short his season with Ottawa's AHL affiliate in Binghamton. Earlier this morning I got an email from Serge saying he has signed with Minnesota.

-- Goalie Jamie McLennan (2005-06) couldn't find an NHL contract for this upcoming season, so Noodles is off to Russia. Call it Penne a la Vodka. McLennan has signed with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Super League.

-- And finally, congrats to John Vanbiesbrouck (1993-98) who is to be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame later this year. Beezer, who led the Panthers to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals, will join former NHL standouts Aaron Broten and Bobby Carpenter as well as former Michigan Tech coach John MacInnes in this year's class. The induction ceremony will be Oct. 12 in Grand Forks, N.D.

Vanbiesbrouck is the all-time winningest American-born goalkeeper and played 20 seasons in the NHL.